Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-10-07
A MiSSiOnary's Qualification One
Of the Topics Of Discussion.
The Report Of the Home Secretary
Causes q Lengthy Debate.
officers Elected for the Ensuing
Year.


SPRINGFIELD, Mass, Oct. 6.
1 At the meeting of the American Board,
/ Wednesday morning, majority report of the
committee on the report of the home secre-
tary, was presented by Prof. Boardman of
Chicago. The majority report considers that
the secretary's report affords much encour-
agement to the friends of missions.
Eighteen more missionaries have been ap-
pointed than the average number for the past
! twelve years, and seventy-one names were
added to the list of missionaries, including
those returning to the mission fields. The
| finances were NJ { so favorable as last year,
the Sweet and Otis funds having been largely
| drawn on during the year to meet the def
| ciences
Continuing, the report says we affirm and
fall back upon the action taken last year at
Des Moines against the doctrine of future
probations. The statements made by reject
ed candidates amply justify this action. The
board adheres TO its position at Des MoiRes
and accepts the aclion of the prudential CON-
mittee and recommends that committee to be
careful to guard against any approval of the
doctrine of future probation The report de-
clares that the action of the committee since
the meeting last year at Des Moines has
been in entire harmony invariably with the
position then assumed by the board.
Licl. Il Ishci IL
port declares thst the home secretary in de-
Tending his position in regard to the action
against the Andover professors made per-
sonal matter of it, and to further his defense
has suppressed real facts in that controversy,
thus allowing false impression to go abroad.
There was much dissatisfact on over his
course, the report declares, even among con-
servatives. This was, it says, the cause of
the resignation of the late ALI heus Hardy
from the prudential committee
Prof. Fiaber declared the board was not a
synod or tribunal to define orthodoxy, and in
doing so it'usurped power that belonged to
the churches alone.
1t was moved to accept the majority re-
port, but Professor Fisher interposed mo-
ton to adopt the minority report as a substi-
tute,
On this motion first put the debate of the
session began.
Rev DR.. Cheever was the first speaker,
advocating more liberty in thought and action
so as not to exclude men from carry ing the
gospel to mission fields.
Prof. Fisher inquired why should the pru
Dental committee determine the questions of
theology. The members of this board are
not authorized representatives of the church
es. Ii is not a Venetian senate. 1t may be
said tlat they do not define theology but only
require such as is current in our churches.
They must be satisfied as to all the qualifca-
tions of man. and doctrine is only one OF
them. The most importont question is, what
sort of person is the candidate and what use
will he make of speculative doctrines.
That is, continued Prof. Fisher, we have
no use for cranks. We must use large
common sense. This is the only safe course
for the board as to this and other such doubt
ful views that are coming up, as premilleni-
alism, inspiration of the Pentsteuch, etc.
We shall have our hands full if we make
ourselves theological court. We should
leave the prudential committee unfettered by
any resolution, if not, churches will have to
resume their prerogative of deciding by coun-
Gil or general assembly. This will be step
toward Presbyterisnlsm. We can't keep the
blessings of Congregationalism if we intro
duce these centralizlng measures. The speak
er thought he voiced large dissatisfaction
with the doings of the committee.
Prof. Boardman of the Chicago Theologi-
cal Seminary, differed with Prof. Fisher
We are trying to evangelize the world and
we must do it with certain weapons, and the
most important one is the gospel. A railroad
corporation as such doesn't make iron, but
must test it if passengers are to be safe.
The idea that we have nothing to do with
theology is preposterous. Now the question
is will it be wise to introduce this new the
ology to lie alongside that TO which we have
been used. They are not consistent with
each other and the old one is the better.
| Rev. E. II. Parker, d. D., of Hartford,
pleaded for those who held the hypothesis,
not the doctrine, of future prohibition. You
have to reckon not only with poor Andover,
but with all liberals all over the country.
He heard two drunken men on the street
complaining that this meeting had cheated
them out of their usual drink and "now,
blamed if they Amt discussing prohibition
after death "
Let the American board rest squarely on
| the basis where fathers placed it. We must
not take our positions on each end of the
board and go seesawing, for then there will
be danger of crack in the board.
DIR. Parker continued The question at
issue in this discussion is simply snail the
board bind itself by resolutions, which may
be passed by a two-thirds vote, to refuse
all coniidstes for missionary service, who
cannot affirm the belief in the doctrine that
probation necessarily ends for all men at
death. The new departure is one which the
board itself made for the purpose of defining
theology.
| Rev. Dr. Taylor of New York, said the
main question is, whom shall we send to
preach the gospel. He thought the doctrine
would affect preaching candidates, and that
repentance and remission Of sins should be
preached. God found us under condemna-
ZION and offers us salvation on the condition
of repentance. If missionary takes mes
sage to an audience in India and they ask
| "Were our ancestors sinners?" he must re-
ply "Yes." Then may come the question.
| sAre they under condemnation" "Yes."
His hearers may then ask, 'do they have an
other probation?" Suppose the preacher
answers in the affirmative? What more nat
ural rejoinder than ''Then they couldn't have
been under condemnation" We don't need
theodicy. Does God need to be justified?
Where there is light there is sin. The views
of candidates on these questions may be fair
| ly regarded - part Of their doctrine. The